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Fantasy Football: Is 2015 the Year of the Tight End?

Tyler Eifert was a man among boys playing against the Raiders last week

Is 2015 the year of the tight end? Forget about Rob Gronkowski and Jimmy Graham, 11 other tight ends scored a touchdown during Week 1 including multi-td efforts from Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tyler Eifert, Travis Kelce and Jason Witten. If you did not spend an early to mid-round pick on a tight end, fear not, there is a gold mine waiting in the wire. Here are four tight ends to target on waiver who will not just have success in week 2 but also all season long.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins (OWN: 42%)

The writing on the wall may not have been clear after a slow preseason, but ASJ was bound to have a break out campaign in year two. After an injury-riddled rookie season in which Seferian-Jenkins recorded 21 receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns, the Tampa Bay tight end caught five balls for 110 yards and matched his td total from the year before. Several factors play into the sophomore’s monster outing, most notably, the absence of young star wide receiver, Mike Evans. Evans may return in week 2 capping a ceiling on Seferian-Jenkins’ value. However, offensive coordinator, Dirk Koetter, and rookie quarterback, Jameis Winston, both love to utilize the tight end. Start Seferian-Jenkins with confidence heading into the Superdome to face off against a Saints secondary that yielded 80 yards and a touchdown to the TE position a week before.

Tyler Eifert (OWN: 70.5%)

Tyler Eifert finally lived up to his first round draft pick of three years ago. Against the Oakland Raiders, Eifert exploded for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Eifert’s success wasn’t just due to a weak Raiders’ secondary; he’s a true talent. Andy Dalton targeted Eifert 12 times in week one, four more times than A.J. Green. There’s enough wealth within the passing game for both of the big wideouts to thrive. Eifert was overshadowed by Jermaine Gresham in year one and suffered a season-ending injury early in year two but in in year three, sky is the limit for Eifert.

Ladarius Green (OWN: 13.2%)

For three years, Ladarius Green lied dormant in the shadows of Antonio Gates. Finally, in week one, Green broke out for 74 yards and a score. At six-foot-six, 240 pounds, and boasting a 4.45 40-yard dash, not many defenders can keep up with this athletic freak of nature. Unfortunately for Green, his fantasy output is indirectly tied to the availability of Gates who is set to return from suspension in a few weeks. The usage of Green remains unknown from week five on but for the first quarter of the season, plug him into your starting lineup and cash out.

Jordan Reed (OWN: 38.9%)

Yes, I understand that Jordan Reed is about as durable as a glass house (he’s missed 12 games in the past two years). However, when Reed is on the field, he is productive. In week one, Reed was targeted a team high, 11 times, and finished with seven receptions for 63 yards and a score. The Redskins are going to be down on the scoreboard most likely in every game this year; therefore, they will have to throw the ball. With Desean Jackson out for the foreseeable future, it’s not like there’s anyone else on the field who can catch it for the ‘Skins. Furthermore, there is no other tight end on the roster that will cut into Reed’s fantasy production. Literally, Washington currently has three tight ends on injured reserve. The Washington franchise may be a mess right now, but for fantasy purposes, there’s no future brighter in D.C. than Jordan Reed’s.